When it comes to happiness, there is no one secret that if shared, can bring us joy. As hard as it is to believe, the power to turn our frowns upside down–into smiles–lies within us. A 2015 study in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems stated that small acts of self-care can really help care for emotional distress (think fear, anxiety, crying and lack of sleep) It can be anything: From wearing your favourite lip colour or just taking time out to practice a beauty ritual that cheers you up–self-care is just supposed to make you feel good. Sounds simple, right?
While being a health content writer does allow me to spend my time deep-diving into self-care and what it means, I realise not everyone has this luxury. So, the aim here is to provide bite-sized pieces of information that you (hopefully!) can add a little bit of bliss to your day.
Establish a routine
It is very easy to feel lost and overwhelmed, especially when the world as you know it is changing 180 degrees (think COVID-19). Amid all the chaos, forming a routine–both beauty and health-related–can add a bunch of happiness and relaxation to your day. It can be anything, from just journaling to sleeping on time to working out at a specific time every day, all of it counts. According to a 2018 peer-reviewed study in the Lancet Psychiatry, researchers found that people who have less consistent routines suffer from unhappiness. Having a schedule helps because it makes you feel more accomplished and content.
Practice mindfulness
Being mindful means making an effort to be truly present in the moment and responding to a situation deliberately. During the day, it may feel like you’re focusing on a dozen things per second but that’s just why extending mindfulness to your beauty routine will really benefit you. While giving yourself a face massage, there are several things you need to keep in mind: Maintain light pressure while kneading your face and practice the right movements. Start with clean hands (or tools) and never skip facial oil! It prevents you from tugging and pulling your skin.
Amp up aromatherapy in the shower
Bring out your heavenly smelling essential oils and scents, we’re taking aromatherapy up a notch with this tip. Taking a warm shower physically relaxes your body, which in turn makes your brain believe that it’s time to tone down the flight-or-fight stress response it generally has. Flick a few drops of essential oil on the walls of your shower area, the hot water will diffuse the scent, amping up your relaxation level. Look for calming and soothing fragrances like lavender, lemon oil, or eucalyptus.
Make a weekly mask session a thing
Studies have found that spending time with your loved ones, doing activities that bring you joy, is linked to greater levels of happiness. Rope in your family and gather your masking supplies for a fun evening in.
Get enough sleep
Seriously. Lack of sleep can make you cranky and irritable, and to top that, it has negative effects on the skin. It slows down collagen production and reduces the rate at which skin cells repair and regenerate themselves, making the skin look dull, lacklustre, and even break out.